The rain forecast Sunday afternoon materialized overnight and was welcomed by gardeners and farmers alike. It was welcomed more than the snow received elsewhere recently. At Taber, Alta. the only crop that may suffer from the snow is sugar beets, but they may be OK. The lilacs that were in full bloom looked pretty sad with their heads hanging under the weight of the snow, but they are back up and smiling.
On the Weather聽Channel they show huge dust devils in the dry southern United States, while here we get what we call whirlwinds. Are they little dust devils?
The story of Walter Tait鈥檚 old tractor drew interest. Dave Ottas of Edam told his story of the 1949 AR John Deere tractor he bought second hand in 1956, when he was 18 years old. He dealt with a local dealer, Bill Roach, in Edam and paid $1,000 for it. He first used it to pull a five-foot tiller and press drill. This 72-year-old tractor is still doing farm work, as Dave has kept it in repair. It would look pretty foolish out on a field today, with that machinery behind it. There are small farm jobs that it can still handle.
The fifth annual Vawn Mud Volleyball Tournament being held July 3 will include a canteen, live music, fireworks and, new for the children, entertaining聽clowns.
A walk about town these days includes the aroma surrounding the various fruit trees in bloom. They all look so pretty and we hope the frost hasn鈥檛聽hurt their ability to聽produce.
Canasta was played at the Do Drop In May 21, with top score going聽to Marion Ottas and Joyce Luckey, followed by Bev McCrimmon and Janice Morton. Third were Carol Huys and Gail Hilderman. People were so happy to get out and see their friends again. Some of the games were uneven while others聽were close, but all for fun.
We are happy to hear the general store in Chitek Lake will not be closing when Harvey Surprenant retires this summer. It will be leased to Hayley Harris, starting June 3. Harvey and Lori will continue to live in the house. Hayley lives across the street so is handy to work. Hayley鈥檚 mother Lisa has been working in the store for four years, as have Hayley and her sister at times.. It will be known as Lake Life Gas and Grocery and will also have the post office.聽
In Taber there is a small building set up called 鈥淧roduce Hut,鈥� as there are in most towns around southern Alberta. They are restocked weekly with fresh produce from the greenhouses at Redcliff. They are a self-serve聽unit where one can go in, pick out what you want to buy, use your own bags and then pay with cash into a secured tin can, using the honour system. There are security cameras about, but to get fresh produce not treated with chemicals, is such a bonus for people, it is a popular place. They stock in-season vegetables all year. They also carry eggs and cartons can be returned.
The concession is open again 鈥� a sign of summer. There were quite a few in the campground and many folks had family visiting over the long weekend. The gates are closed to stop traffic through the playground area. All is good.
The dates for cemetery cleanup are May 27, June 11 and 26, July 12 and 27, Aug. 11 and 26 and Sept. 10. This gives everyone a chance to lend a hand when they can.
